More free time requested

Published on July 29, 1997.

Eleven members of Congress today wrote to the chairmen of a commission that will look at broadcasters' public interest responsibilities, asking that broadcasters be required to provide additional free time for political candidates. A group that includes U.S. Rep. Louis M. Slaughter (D., N.Y.), sent the letter to CBS Entertainment President Leslie Moonves and Norm Ornstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. The commission is supposed to look at the additional responsibilities that broadcasters should take on as the result of getting digital channels. Rep. Slaughter has sponsored legislation to require stations to give candidates free time.